About the European Union and the European Union citizenship
01
What does it mean to be a citizen of the European Union?
Being a European Union (EU) citizen means that you are a citizen of an EU member state and therefore have the right to live, work and travel freely within the EU.
That also means that you have citizenship rights in a European country and have certain rights and privileges within the EU as a whole. You also get the right to vote in European and local elections, and the right to consular protection while abroad. EU citizenship is an additional citizenship to the citizenship of a particular European country and is acquired through birth or naturalization in one of the EU Member States.
02
Poland in the European Union
Poland is a member state of the European Union (EU). It joined the EU on May 1, 2004 as one of ten new member states. As an EU member, Poland is part of the EU’s single market and participates in EU decision-making processes on issues such as trade, agriculture, and justice and home affairs. Poland is also a member of the European Parliament and its citizens have the right to vote and stand as candidates in elections to the European Parliament. Being a member of the EU provides Poland with access to a large market, opportunities for trade and investment, and the ability to participate in the development of EU policies and legislation.
03
What does it mean to be a Polish citizen in the European Union?
A Polish citizen is also a citizen of the European Union (EU). As an EU citizen, a Polish person has the right to live, work and travel freely within the EU, including the right to study, start a business, or retire in another EU country. EU citizenship also gives Polish citizens the right to vote and stand as a candidate in elections to the European Parliament, and the right to petition the European Parliament. Additionally, Polish citizens can access consular protection from any EU embassy in a non-EU country in case the country of their nationality is not represented. EU citizenship is an important aspect of the integration and unity of the EU and provides its citizens with many rights and opportunities.
04
What are the rights of a Polish citizen in the European Union?
As a citizen of Poland, and as a citizen of the European Union, you have the following rights in the EU:
Freedom of movement: You can travel, live and work in any EU country without the need for a visa or work permit.
Right to vote: You have the right to vote in European and municipal elections in the EU country where you reside.
Access to healthcare: You are entitled to access public healthcare services in any EU country, provided that you have a European Health Insurance Card.
Consular protection: You have the right to receive assistance from the embassy or consulate of any EU country, even if you are outside your country of origin.
Right to petition: You have the right to submit a petition to the European Parliament on any matter of concern to you.
These are some of the rights that Polish citizens have as citizens of the European Union.
05
What are the member countries of the European Union?
Poland has been a member of the European Union since 2004. Once you are issued with your Polish passport, you automatically become a European Union citizen. A Polish passport will allow you to live freely, work and travel across the European Union. There are no restrictions for any European Countries’ citizens to live or work. Everyone is treated equally.
The 27 member countries of the European Union are the following:
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06
Is a Polish passport a passport of the European Union?
Yes, a Polish passport is a passport of the European Union. Poland is a member state of the European Union, and its citizens have the right to freedom of movement and can use their passport to travel, live, and work in other EU member states.
The Schengen Area is a group of 26 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders, creating a single area of free movement for citizens of the member states.
The name “Schengen” comes from the 1985 Schengen Agreement, which created the rules for the elimination of border controls between the participating countries. The agreement was later incorporated into EU law and today the Schengen Area is considered an essential part of the EU’s single market. The elimination of border controls has facilitated travel, trade and commerce within the Schengen Area, but has also created new challenges in terms of security and migration management.
07
What are the countries in the Schengen area?
Schengen area is an area without internal borders, within which citizens, also non-EU nationals, business people, and tourists can freely circulate without border checks.
The countries in the Schengen area are the following:
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08
What are the benefits of European Union citizenship?
European Union (EU) citizenship is a status that is automatically granted to citizens of the 27 member states of the EU. It was established by the Maastricht Treaty in 1993 and provides a range of rights and benefits to its citizens, such as:
- The right to move and reside freely within the EU: EU citizens can live, work, study, and retire in any EU country without the need for a visa or work permit.
- The right to vote and stand in elections: EU citizens have the right to vote and stand as a candidate in municipal and European Parliament elections in the EU country where they live.
- The right to consular protection: EU citizens have the right to consular protection from any other EU country’s embassy or consulate outside the EU.
- The right to petition the European Parliament: EU citizens have the right to petition the European Parliament on issues that concern them.
- The right to receive social benefits: EU citizens are entitled to social benefits such as healthcare, unemployment benefits, and pensions when residing in any other EU country.
To become an EU citizen, one must first be a citizen of an EU member state (e.g. a citizen of Poland). However, there are some exceptions, such as for family members of EU citizens and individuals who have been granted permanent residency in an EU country. It is important to note that the rights and benefits of EU citizenship are subject to certain limitations and can be affected by national laws and policies.
09
How can I get citizenship of the European Union?
A citizen of any European Union country, including Poland of course, is at the same time a citizen of the European Union. This means that the citizens of individual member states, such as Poland, automatically become citizens of the European Union upon acquiring national citizenship. Therefore there is no need to fulfil additional formalities or submit additional applications in order to obtain citizenship of the Union.
It is worth noting that it is impossible to obtain citizenship of the European Union without simultaneously obtaining citizenship of one of the Member States. In other words, in order to be a citizen of the Union, it is necessary to be a member of one of the Member States of the European Union, such as Poland.
10
Visa-Free travel for Polish citizens
As a member of the European Union, Polish citizens can travel freely within the Schengen Area without the need for a passport. For identification purposes they still need to carry with them Polish national id (Dowod osobisty). A passport is still required for travel outside the Schengen Zone.
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